Knee decisions — 2019

The Veteran's neck and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The remaining claims, including those for respiratory disability, bilateral hand numbness, acid reflux disease, and right ankle strain, are remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. However, the claims are still pending as they need further examination to determine if the current knee conditions are related to service or aggravated by a pre-existing ankle condition.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for left knee and right knee conditions due to inadequate prior examinations, requiring further evaluation by VA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lung disorder. The issues of service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as heart disorder, are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee patellofemoral syndrome disabilities have been rated at 10% each, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as the evidence does not provide sufficient information to determine his employability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability due to inadequate duty to assist.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, including degenerative joint disease. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current right knee conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right knee meniscal tear was granted, but with a remanded issue regarding the compensable rating from August 16, 2016 onwards. The adjustment disorder claim is also being remanded.,For the right knee meniscal tear, the Veteran received an initial noncompensable rating and then a higher 10% rating was granted for the period February 5, 2014 to August 15, 2016. The issue of whether he is entitled to a compensable rating (greater than 10%) from August 16, 2016 onwards remains pending.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for left foot disability and denied higher ratings. The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent since March 1, 2013. The claim for eczema was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for more contemporaneous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, specifically whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and spine condition. The issues have been remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right knee degenerative joint disease are remanded for further development as the Board found that there is a relative equipoise of evidence regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to reopen the claim for service connection of a left knee disability and remanded it due to insufficient evidence on its etiology.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the right knee strain is rated at noncompensable. The Board has remanded both issues for further development.,The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and right knee strain.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee meniscal tear did not result in surgery, immobilization by cast, or hospitalization for more than 21 days. Therefore, the temporary total disability rating is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and dislocated cartilage, has been granted increased ratings with effective dates from May 12, 2009 to October 30, 2017 for different periods. Effective December 1, 2018, his total knee replacement is rated at 60 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, as well as additional consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability on an extraschedular basis was denied as he failed to report for the scheduled examination.